Vacuum Tubes & Solar Water Heating
Evacuated Tubes are currently the most efficient solar water heating system available.
Although flatplate collectors may produce more heat on a sunny day, vacuum tubes will produce heat over a wider spread of the season than any other system on the market, and thus provide more useful heat.
Until recently, these have been too expensive for many people to consider. However, the Chinese have been producing evacuated tubes for many years, and we believe they have perfected this technology and even improved on many aspects of the design.
Many European manufacturers import Chinese evacuated tubes and re-brand them under their own name. We prefer to be honest and pass on the savings from this low-cost manufacturing base to provide economical and worthwhile solutions for solar water heating.
Click here for full price list
A 2m2 panel will provide sufficient hot water for a small family (2-3 users), and is best matched to a small water tank (no more than 175 litre). We also offer a 3m2 panel and either of these can be interconnected to make any size of panel providing economical hot water for houses, factories, hotels, swimming pools or any other application that requires hot water (see our page on designing your system by clicking here)
Solar heating is available to every house in Ireland! Every house should have one -really!
|
|
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 tube |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The table shows NASA figures for the average solar heat arriving in Ireland per day per square meter. Surprisingly, this is about 60% of that received at the equator. The total cost saving per year is €151 for a panel which after the grant will cost you just €355. Many vendors quote a payback time based on this figure, which is a bit cheeky. Depending on your installation, there will be other costs, such as a pump, controller and installation costs. Also, we have factored in to these figures efficiency which falls off as the water tank heats up.
In a new house installing a solar water heater is a no-brainer. In a retrofit, it really depends on how easy it is to get into the loft space etc., but you will still save money. But no money would pay for the pleasure of knowing that your bath water was heated by sunlight rather than oil, gas or electricity, none of which in the long run are coming down in price!
“Greener Homes” Grant Scheme
Our panels are registered with SEI for the Greeener Homes Scheme. You can find out how to apply by clicking here
Click here to read our solar panel installation manual (Pdf file 1 meg)
Get more information on designing your solar water heating system
More information on solar tubes
Look at other components used in the solar circuit
Download grant application forms
Solar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
